The WHO creates impetus for change THEIR International Nursing Review evidence, September 2002, Volume 49, Issue 3, Page 161-167, “Marrying modern health practices and technology with traditional practices: issues for the African continent”
From the preceding examples, the possibilities for collaboration are many. To give direction and impetus to collaboration, traditional practices must first be demystified and legitimized. Demystifying traditional healing begins by separating it from those practices on the other side of the spectrum such as black magic, quackery and witchcraft. These acts are carried out by bogus healers and, according to well-respected traditional healers, are largely responsible for the tarnished image of traditional practitioners. Although traditional healers generally believe that legitimacy comes from the people they serve (Pretorius 1999), there is consensus among them for their practice to be facilitated and regulated by modern legal processes. Throughout the history of southern Africa, there have been several efforts to discredit traditional healing. In some countries, notably Mozambique, Swaziland, Namibia and South Africa (except for one province), traditional healing has either been prohibited or restricted by law. Legitimacy through coherent national law and policy is thus essential.It will not only legitimize traditional medicine but also restore the credibility of traditional healers. Policy initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) makes allowance for traditional health care systems and indeed gives impetus for governments to change.
The WHO creates impetus for change
THEIR International Nursing Review evidence, September 2002, Volume 49, Issue 3, Page 161-167, “Marrying modern health practices and technology with traditional practices: issues for the African continent”
From the preceding examples, the possibilities for collaboration are many. To give direction and impetus to collaboration, traditional practices must first be demystified and legitimized. Demystifying traditional healing begins by separating it from those practices on the other side of the spectrum such as black magic, quackery and witchcraft. These acts are carried out by bogus healers and, according to well-respected traditional healers, are largely responsible for the tarnished image of traditional practitioners. Although traditional healers generally believe that legitimacy comes from the people they serve (Pretorius 1999), there is consensus among them for their practice to be facilitated and regulated by modern legal processes. Throughout the history of southern Africa, there have been several efforts to discredit traditional healing. In some countries, notably Mozambique, Swaziland, Namibia and South Africa (except for one province), traditional healing has either been prohibited or restricted by law. Legitimacy through coherent national law and policy is thus essential. It will not only legitimize traditional medicine but also restore the credibility of traditional healers. Policy initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) makes allowance for traditional health care systems and indeed gives impetus for governments to change.